Men's Health: What you need to know to stay healthy

Men can experience a wide variety of health problems during their lifetime, including conditions unique to their gender, such as erectile dysfunction and prostate cancer.

Men are also more likely than women to develop Parkinson’s disease or cirrhosis of the liver, have a stroke, suffer from ADHD or alcohol dependence, and die from cancer or heart disease.

These health risks can be exacerbated by the fact that men are reluctant to seek medical advice. A 2001 study released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that men were 100 percent less likely than women to visit their doctor for preventative care, such as health screenings.

“The biggest problem facing healthcare for men is simply getting into the office in the first place,” said Dr. Rajy S. Abulhosn, a physician in the Sharp Rees-Stealy Occupational Health Department. “Just the lack of regular follow-up with their primary care doctors is probably the biggest problem that men face in terms of getting access to regular healthcare, being proactive.”

Another study released in 2009 by Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, found that men who were concerned with appearing “masculine” were 50 percent less likely to seek preventative care.

“I think…the majority of (men) either don’t have time to (see their doctor) or they feel as if, because they can’t overtly see or feel anything wrong with them, that they may think they are truly healthy when, a lot of major health problems don’t identify themselves very overtly and by the time people notice or realize symptoms, it may either be too late or some damage may have already been done,” Abulhosn said.

People also mistakenly believe that only children need immunizations when, in fact, adults need boosters for things like tetanus, and measles/mumps/rubella. They also might require first-time shots to protect against hepatitis strains or pneumonia, he said.

Heart Health

Although heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States, and the second leading cause of death in San Diego County, men account for more than half of the approximately 600,000 heart disease-related deaths recorded each year. Men can reduce their risk of developing cardiovascular diseases by keeping their blood pressure and cholesterol levels in check through healthy eating and regular exercise. Limiting alcoholic beverages to no more than two drinks per day, as recommended by the National Institutes of Health, reducing stress through meditation or other relaxation techniques, and giving up cigarettes can also help men lower their risks. These healthy changes can also protect against developing Type 2 diabetes.

Sexual Health and Wellness

Men’s sexual health covers everything from the proper use of contraception and the prevention or treatment of sexually transmitted diseases. However, when it comes to sexual wellness, for many men, erectile dysfunction is often the first thing that comes to mind. Approximately 30 million men are affected by erectile dysfunction — the inability to achieve or maintain an erection firm enough for intercourse — according to an NIH estimate. There are several treatment options available, including oral medication, injectable medications, vacuum pump devices and penile prostheses. Specialists at the Urology Division of the UC San Diego Health System also treat libido loss, low testosterone, testicular cancer and fertility issues. Men also can protect their sexual health and wellness by practicing safe sex and testing periodically for sexually transmitted diseases.

Cancer

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting men in the United States, second only to non-melanoma skin cancer, according to the CDC. In 2009 (the most recent available data), more than 200,000 American men were diagnosed with prostate cancer and more than 28,000 men died from the disease. Although there is no proven prostate cancer prevention strategy, according to the Mayo Clinic, the same healthy lifestyle changes that decrease a man’s risk of hypertension, high cholesterol and heart disease — healthy diet, regular exercise and smoking cessation — may reduce the risk of prostate and other cancers.

Mental Health

Mental illness can affect both men and women of any age, but the symptoms of common mental disorders may be different, and harder to recognize, in men, according to the University of Rochester Medical Center.

Men suffering from depression, for example, may appear angry and irritable rather than sad or withdrawn.

Other common mental health concerns include post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, and eating and body image disorders. Studies show that men may be even more reluctant to seek treatment for mental health issues than for other health issues. However, with one in four San Diegans suffering from diagnosable and treatable mental health issues, the subject of mental health is just too important to ignore.

The County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency launched the “It’s Up to Us” campaign and website to encourage the open discussion of mental health issues and to encourage people to seek the help they need without feeling ashamed or embarrassed.